IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group - Digital Cat Library |
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| Human-Cougar: Occurrence Summary 2015-2018 - Human-cougar coexistence in the South Saskatchewan Region | |
| 2019 Full Book | |
Four years (2015-2018) of occurrence data on human-cougar interactions were summarized for the South Saskatchewan Region (SSR) in Alberta. Over the four years there has been a decline in the number of human-cougar occurrences (HCO). Despite the decline and the fact the majority of interactions were relatively low risk in terms of public safety, serious incidents continue to occur. These include predatory attacks on livestock, domestic animals and wildlife. Attacks on wildlife are a concern as they often occur in or adjacent to developed areas such as residential properties or in areas frequented by people elevating the potential risk to the public. Developed areas adjacent to prime cougar habitat were most prone to having serious interactions with cougars. Such developments, whether they be urban residential or rural acreages, can provide cougars with an easy source of prey in the form of livestock or domestic pets. Acreage developments are increasing along with the prevalence of livestock such as chickens, llamas, alpacas, miniature donkeys, and goats. The highest number of occurrences were located in WMU 212 which includes the City of Calgary. These occurrences were predominantly Low in severity and were primarily interactions with cougars along the urban fringe and in urban green spaces within the city. The large networks of green spaces inside the city limits provides good habitat for cougars and because these spaces are connected to quality habitat outside the city limits, they offer cougars the opportunity to access urban areas from forested cover. With the increasing levels of human activity in or adjacent to cougar habitat, cougars have begun to gain the attention of both the public and wildlife managers. Their activity is becoming more common in and around developed areas and while segments of the public have become reasonably tolerant of bears, they are less comfortable with the idea of cougars living in close proximity to their homes. As such there is a need to provide additional education and conflict prevention programs, similar to what has been done with respect to bears. |
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(c) IUCN/SSC Cat Specialist Group ( IUCN - The World Conservation Union) |